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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- deliveryagentdhl2@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Harris Mark" <xx@yy>
Reply-To: deliveryagentdhl2@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 04:27:45 -0700
Subject: [GSN Suspected Spam]
I can be reached on (206) 6012-2305
I am Harris Mark, the special delivery agent assigned by the UNITED NATIONS Office For Humanitarians Affairs to make the delivery of your $1.8million usd in Cash to your door-steps. I am presently in Los Angeles and i have received and noted your
delivery information. I have made arrangement with DHL to complete the delivery since it will be less expensive and their delivery charges is $100. The money mapped out for this delivery has exhausted and i cannot afford the fees, therefore you are hereby advise to remit to me via MONEY Gram.
I will update you with the receiver's information as soon as i hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Harris Mark
I can be reached on (206) 6012-2305.
Special Delivery Agent EMAIL;deliveryagentdhl2@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
